Viewpoints
Private use of electric vehicles
in Ketchikan
By Chris Wilhelm
July 11, 2008
Friday
In response to Joy Barry's remark on all electric vehicle use,
nothing seems better suited for Ketchikan! We can nearly eliminate,
yes, eliminate petroleum dependency in the First City by having
electric cars. Except in extreme months of dry or cold weather,
our electricity is generated by falling water, which these days
looks pretty cheap and easy. Thanks to KPU's hydroelectric facilities
our electricity is not dependent on any country's oil production
levels.
Most electric vehicles have a top speed of 25-30 mph. Some cars
produced in Seattle and Vancouver BC even achieve speeds of 50
mph, and can be charged by plugging into a conventional wall
socket. With these being the posted speed limits in Ketchikan,
it all fits together neatly except for an ordinance passed by
the city council.
Governor Murkowski was alerted to a gray area in the law regarding
electric vehicles, whether they were legal or not for Alaska
roads and highways, in 2005. The legislature enacted a law confirming
that electric vehicles were indeed suitable for our state's roads,
developed licensing fees, and with that made them legal.
Shortly after that, the Ketchikan City Council passed an ordinance
banning electric vehicles from the streets of the First City.
Apparently, hybrid vehicles which use a combination of gasoline
and electricity are in a loophole all their own. Perhaps the
City is unaware that electric vehicles are currently operating
on the streets, at times using gasoline, at other times using
only electricity.
It is an interesting time. The price of a barrel of oil may cause
interest on both sides of the electric issue to reconsider and
provide for private use of electric vehicles in Ketchikan.
Here are a couple of links for electric cars and specifications.
http://mcelectricvehicles.com/
http://www.itiselectric.com/
Chris Wilhelm
ketchikanwilhelm[AT]yahoo.com
Ketchikan, AK
About: "A citizen looking
for ways to reduce petroleum consumption."
Received July 10, 2008 - Published
July 11, 2008
Related Viewpoint:
 Do
your part to lower demand for oil By Joy Barry
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